Ally McCoist has had his say on Manchester City’s reported transfer target.
City are astute at spotting talent and more often than not, pundits cannot help but anticipate great things from players who they sign.
There is always a rare case when even former players make blunders when it comes to predicting how players will perform — with Paul Merson holding his hands up and admitting he was incorrect about how he felt Kevin De Bruyne was overpriced when he was signed and revealing that he is “one of his biggest fans now.”
Pep Guardiola’s men rarely ever make errors in the transfer market and if they do, City manage to remain successful due to the brilliance of their manager, their squad and the organisation as a whole.
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Ally McCoist gives glowing Dani Olmo amid Man City links
Dani Olmo, whose £50.6 million release clause will be valid until July 15 is a player whose availability Pep Guardiola is believed to have been curious about since last season, as per a revelation on Wednesday. RB Leipzig were reported to be open to discussing a transfer involving the Spaniard even after his release clause expires.
Steve McManaman also claimed that the Terrassa-born technician has been “excellent” in his last two outings at Euro 2024 against Germany and France.
Now, Ally McCoist has also praised Olmo — stressing how Pedri’s unfortunate injury in the quarter-final against the Germans has been a blessing in disguise for Luis de la Fuente’s side due to how he has singlehandedly taken his team to another level.
On talkSPORT, the pundit said: “I don’t know if you agree or not but you need little things to go your way sometimes in tournaments and Toni Kroos’ tackle on Pedri in the first 10 minutes of the game, as tragic as it was for Pedri, they’ve given them another gear with Dani Olmo.”
“He was magnificent when he came on against Germany and he’s carried that form on and it’s amazing how things in tournaments just sometimes go your way, even if the things that go for you end up going for you and that’s an example of that.”
Dani Olmo may not have the same impact for Spain as he does for Man City
As Ally McCoist stated, Olmo has been exceptional since replacing Pedri in the Spanish side — with the latter proving to be a better fit in central midfielder rather than as a number 10.
But in a Manchester City side that possesses a pair of attacking midfielders of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden’s calibre, one struggles to spot another number 10 in world football who could elevate them — even aside from the 26-year-old.
While the RB Leipzig attacker has played in a variety of positions throughout his career, it is playing behind the striker where he thrives the most — as exemplified by his displays in Germany.
As a result, there would be understandable questions asked within the Manchester City camp if they were mulling over the pros and cons of signing Olmo this summer.
